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Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Answer

Mr. Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what arrangements are in place to check against the illegal importation of meat by sea and air, with specific reference to (a) their cost and (b) man hour equivalents devoted to them. [69991] Mr. Morley: Consignments of meat or animal products entering the European Union are subject to documentary and identification checks as well as physical checks, testing and sampling. The proportion subject to physical checks is dependent on the product--for example, at least 20 per cent. of beef, pork and lamb and at least 50 per cent. of consignments of poultry, game and honey are checked to ensure they comply with the appropriate rules. The cost of these checks are recovered from importers. Checks on other consignments not declared as meat or animal products are targeted on a risk basis. There are enforcement officers employed by local and port health authorities, HM Customs and Excise, Meat Hygiene Service and DEFRA who contribute directly or indirectly to policing laws on meat imports. Total numbers are not held centrally. Targeted checks for illegal imports of meat and animal products are carried out at sea ports and air ports. We do not hold information centrally on the costs of these checks. Through its action plan published in March, the Government are stepping up activities to improve the prevention and detection rates for illicit trade. Measures include improved co-ordination and co-operation with, and between, enforcement agencies. Certain measures in the action plan measures will have implications for future arrangements. For example the volume and type of checks made will be informed by the outcome of a disease risk assessment, and how checks are arranged, by the outcome of a Cabinet Office review of the current enforcement arrangements. Both reports are due this autumn.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

69991; 389 c1142-3W;389 c1140-1W

Session

2001-02

Subjects

Costs Import controls Imports Meat Staff Wildlife Smuggling

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk